Separator



April 19, 1932.

. w. MCLEAN SEPARATOR S-Sheet 1 2 Sheet Filed Jan. 11, 1929 April 1-9, 1932.- R. w.- MCLEAN 1,854,209

SEPARATOR Filed Jan. 11, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 fiuamior: RoZeTZ W AZCZlean Patented Apr. 19, 1932 T E S ROBERT VJ. MCLEAN, OF BBIDGEWATEB,

MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO CARVER OF MASSACHUSETTS SEPARATOR Application filed. January 11, 1929. Serial No. 331,920. 7

This invention pertains to separators and more particularly to apparatus for separating such materials as cottonseed meats and hulls. In preparing cottonseed for the extraction of oil, the seed is first crushed, as for example by passing it through a huller, and is then usually subjected to shaking and beating, it being necessary to repeat this cycle of operations one or more times in order to complete the separation. This repetition of the cycle of operations involves a multiplicity of machinery with consequent high consumption of power and the occupation of a large floor space. Furthermore, every manipula- 1 tion of the mixed hulls and meat increases the oil absorption loss so that such repetition of the cycle of operations is wasteful of oil.

' In accordance with the present invention I provide separator apparatus which re- 2 ceives the mixture of hulls and meats (usually including a certain proportion of uncut seeds) from the shaker or heater, or which under some conditions may even replace the beater, or both beater and shaker, and which enables me substantially to complete the separation of the hulls, seeds, and meats in a single cycle, thus substantially cutting down the cost of the operation and at the same time reducing the oil absorption loss.

My improved separator apparatus is of pneumatic type employing an upwardly moving air current into which the mixture is delivered, the bulls and other light materials being carried upwardly by the current, while the relatively heavier material (meats and uncut seeds) drops into a suitable receptacle or conveyor device. I am aware that pneumatic separators have heretofore been employed for cleaning grain or the like, but the present apparatus differs from any apparatus known to me in providing for the delivery of substantially equal and relatively small quantities of the material to be separated at uniform timed intervals and in a definitely predetermined direction into an air current of accurately regulable velocity.

Since for proper separation the velocity of the air must be nicely adjusted to the character of the material and in accordance with changes in temperature and humidity of the air, I have found by experiment that the usual mode of discharging the material directly from a hopper or spout into the air current fails to give uniform results. This probably is due to the fact that the delivery of the material into the narrow flue or air passage restricts the area of the flue and when the quantity delivered varies from time to time, a corresponding change in air velocity results, thus producing an irregular separating action which can not be compensated for by mere adjustment of the parts. By delivering' the material in small, substantially uniform amounts at spaced and regular time intervals, it is possible to adjust the air velocity with great accuracy and with the assurance that each small mass of the material (preferably projected transversely into the air current in the form of a swarm of discrete particles) will be acted upon by air moving at a predetermined and proper velocity for complete separation. In this way the number of variable factors is reduced to a minimum so that by mere adjustment of the air velocity forany given condition (as determined for example by previous experiment) dependable results may be predicted under all circumstances.

While the apparatus here disclosed is de sirable and useful for the purpose, it is to be understood merely as constituting one possible embodiment of the broad principle of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the improved apparatus, (omitting the blower) viewed from the delivery end of the machine;

Fig. 2 is a perspective looking from the opposite side of the machine; and

Fig. 8 is a vertical section, partly in elevation, to larger scale, illustrating the complete apparatus.

Referring to the drawings, the separator preferably comprises an outer box-like casing 1 which may be of wood, metal or other suitable material, preferably having a mp2 of inverted hopper shape provided with an elongate slot at its vertex. This slot opens into an upwardly tapering hood 2* merging into a circular collar 3 adapted to receive the end of a suction pipe 4 leading to a suction fan blower 5. This blower may be mounted upon the frame of the separator or at any desired point adjacent to or remote from the separator, and its delivery end may, if desired, communicate by means of a pipe or other suitable conduit (not shown) with a chamber in which the hulls carried by the air current are separated from the air.

The housing 1 preferably is furnished at one side with outstanding brackets 6 (Fig. 3) supporting a structure upon which is mounted a hopper 7 for the reception of the mixture S of hulls, meats and seeds which are to be separated. A shaft 9 is j ournaled in the ends of the hopper 7 and projects at one end from the hopper where it is provided with a pulley 11. The shaft 9 carries a rotary valve member comprising a roller 12 having spaced longitudinally extending ribs defining peripherally spaced pockets 13. One side of the hopper preferably is provided with a movable, for example a hinged, portion 14 which may be adjusted toward the rotary valve by means of a screw 15 or its equivalent. As the rotary valve turns with the shaft 9, portions of the mixture S within the hopper are carried downwardly in successive pockets 13 and delivered from the bottom of the hopper, the adjustment of the member 14 toward or from the valve device tending to regulate the amount of material delivered by the valve.

That side of the housing which carries the brackets 6 is provided with ahorizontally elongate opening 16 through which pass vertically spaced horizontal plates 17 and 18 which may be of wood, metal or other desirable material. These plates form the top and bottom members of a box resting upon the brackets 6 and having side members providing journals for a shaft 19. The side members of this box are also furnished with adjustable blocks carrying the journals for a shaft 21 parallel to the shaft 19 and which is adjustable toward and from the latter. The shafts 19 and 21 carry rollers 22 and 23 respectively over which passes an endless belt conveyor 24. This belt conveyor is provided with spaced pockets, preferably formed by uniformly spaced transversely extending bars 25 which define pockets 26 extending transversely of the conveyor belt and of substantial uniform and equal width.

The shaft 19 projects beyond the housing 1 and its outer end is furnished with a pulley 27 (Fig. 1) about which passes a belt B engaging the pulley 11 above described. The rotary valve in the hopper is thus driven in timed relation to the belt 24, the relation of the pulleys 11 and 27 being such that each pocket 26 of the belt receives substantially the same quantity of the crushed seed as the belt moves beneath the rotary valve. The shaft 19 also carries a drive pulley 28 connected by a suitable belt to the shaft of a motor 29.

Obviously the power may be furnished to the pulley 28 by other means than a motor, for example, from a pulley on an overhead shaft. At its opposite end the shaft 19 carries a pulley 30 whose purpose is hereinafter described.

The opening 16 is guarded by means of an air seal device 31, here shown as consisting of a plurality of bristle brushes having closely set bristles projecting downwardly into contact with the upper surfaces of the bars on the upper run of the belt conveyor. These brushes not only prevent free access of air through the opening 16 but also hold back surplus material delivered to the pockets in the conveyor belt so that as the pockets enter the housing 1 they will not be more than level full. The inner and outer ends of the conveyor are guarded by curved members 32 and 33 of resilient material and adapted to engage the outer surfaces of the bars of the conveyor to oppose passage of air inwardly along the lower run of the conveyor.

The inner portion of the conveyor extends inwardly through an opening 34 in one wall of an inner, substantially vertical casing comprising spaced walls 35 and 36, the open ing 34 being here shown as in the wall 36 and intermediate the top and bottom of the latter. The walls 35 and 36 preferably extend from one end to the other of the housing 1 and define a narrow, substantially vertical flue leading into the hood 2. If desired, a por tion 36 of the wall 36 above the opening 34 may be adjustable as by hinging it at the point 37 so that it may be swung toward and from the center of the flue. The adjustment of this member may be accomplished by suitable link and lever connections leading to a handle 38 on the outside of the housing. If desired, the wall 36 may constitute the outer wall of the housing.

The opposite side wall 35 of the flue is furnished with an adjustable portion 39 hinged at 40 and whose position may be varied by means of suitable link and lever connections leading to a handle 43 on the outside of the housing. The lower edge 40 of this adjustable member 39 defines the top of an opening 42 leading from the interior of the housing into the flue. The side wall 2 of the housing is furnished with a substan tially horizontal elongate air admission opening A, the size of which may be regulated by means of a sliding valve member 44. This valve member moves in suitable guides and, if desired, may be provided with racks 45 at its opposite ends engaging pinions 46 on a shaft 47 provided with a handle 48 for turning it. By turning the shaft 47 the valve 44 may be moved to vary the size of the opening A and thus the volume of air admitted to the housing.

A shaft 51 is arranged in the lower part of the fine and carries a screw conveyor 50. At one end the shaft 51 projects from the housing and carries a pulley 52 which is driven by meansof a belt 53 from the pulley 30 above described. At its opposite end the shaft 51 with the screw conveyor 50 projects into a delivery housing 5% 1) having a lower part 55 in which there is ournaled a shaft 56 which is driven by means of a sprocket chain 57 passing about sprocket wheels on the shafts 51 and 56. The shaft 56 carries a rotary air seal valve 58 which may consist of a drum provided with resilient blades engaging opposite walls of the housing. These blades define pockets into which the meats and uncut seeds are delivered by the conveyor 50 and which in turn deliver the meats to a discharge opening 59 from which the meats M drop into any suitable form of receiver, not shown. The valve 58 prevents the free inward movement of air through the meat discharge opening.

Referring to Fig. 3, the lower end of the member 36 is spaced slightly from the upper run of the conveyor belt, leaving a passage through which air sweeps inwardly from the interior of the housing into the flue. The air thus sweeping inwardly picks up the material carried in the pockets of the belt and tends to deliver each charge of material as presented by one of the pockets in the form of a small independent swarm of discrete particles forcibly projected transversely of the flue. The roller 22 is so disposed as partially to obstruct the fine so that air entering through the opening 42 tends to form an eddy at the point E and then to move upwardly with increased velocity between the member 39 and the roller 22. Abpve the roller the velocity again decreases with a tendency to form a second eddy at the point E. By adjustment of the member 39 the velocity of the air past the point at which the material is delivered into the air current may be regulated with great nicety.

The arrangement thus provided permits the delivery of material in substantially uniform small quantities and at regular timed intervals into an air current whose velocity may be accurately adjusted. Since the charges delivered are uniform in size and as each charge is delivered into the fine in the form of an air-borne swarm of discrete particles,it is possible accuratelyto predetermine and fix the velocity of the air such that substantially all of the meats and uncut seeds M will drop downwardly while all of the hulls II and other like material will pass upwardly into the conduit 4-. The measured and timed delivery of the seed into the separating flue thus enables me to complete the separation in a single cycle of operations and to obtain results which are even better than have heretofore been obtained by the use of apparatus in which the material is subjected to a series of separating cycles. Consequently the cost of separation is reduced and at the same time the and meats, comprising a substantially air- 7 tight housing, a casing within the housing defining a substantially vertical air passage extending through the wall of the housing at its upper end, valve means for admitting a regulable amount of air into the housing,

the casing having an opening near the lower end through which air from the housing may enter the passage, means for creating an upward How of air in the passage, and conveyor means extending into the housing and through an opening in the wall of the casing and greatly restricting the cross sectional area of said vertical air passage said conveyor being arranged to deliver crushed seed into said passage.

2. Apparatus for separating cottonseed hulls from a mixture containing hulls, seeds and meats, comprising a substantially airtight housing, a casing within the housing defining a substantially vertical air passage extending through the wall of the housing at its upper end, valve means for admitting a regulable amount of air into the housing, the casing having an opening near the lower end through which air from the housing may enter the passage, means for creating an upward How of air in the passage, a'conveyor entering the housing through an opening in its wall, and air seal means to prevent free entrance of air at said opening, the conveyor entering the inner casing through an opening in the wall of the latter and extending within said passage to restrict greatly the cross sectional area of said passage, the upper edge of said latter opening being spaced from the upper run of the conveyor to permit air entering said opening to sweep seed from the conveyor into said passage.

3. Separating apparatus comprising a substantially air-tight housing, a casing within said housing defining a substantially vertical air passage extending through the wall of the housing at its upper end and constituting an air exit for said housing, a conveyor roller projecting into and greatly restricting said air passage, a conveyor belt on said roller entering said air passage through an opening in the wall of the casing, the opposite wall of the casing having a portion hinged at its upper end, means for adjusting the angle of said hinged portion, and valve means for admitting a regulable amount of air into the housing.

4. Separating apparatus comprising a substantially air tight housing having a generally vertical flue, means for creating an upward air current in said flue, delivery means extending within said flue and substantially restricting its cross-sectional area, thereby locally increasing the velocity of air current and providing a series of eddy currents adjacent to the delivery means, said delivery means being arranged forcibly to project material to be separated into the high velocity portion of the air current, and a rotary valve controlling the flow of material to said delivery means and supplying material thereto in substantially uniform quantities in timed relation to the movement of said delivery means.

5. Separating apparatus comprising a substantially air tight housing having a generally vertical flue, means for creating an upward air current in said flue, delivery means extending within said flue and substantially restricting its cross-sectional area, thereby locally increasing the velocity of air current and providing a series of eddy currents adjacent to the delivery means, said delivery means being arranged forcibly to project ma terial to be separated into the high velocity portion of the air current, and means for controlling the flow of material to said delivery means and for supplying material thereto in substantially uniform quantities in timed relation to the movement of said delivery means.

6. Separating apparatus comprising a substantially air tight housing having a generally vertical flue, means for creating an upward air current in said flue, delivery means extending within said flue and substantially restricting its cross-sectional area, thereby providing a locally increased velocity of air current adjacent to the delivery means and relatively lower velocities of air current above and below said delivery means, said delivery means being arranged forcibly to project material to be separated into the high velocity portion of the air current, and means for adjusting the opposite wall of the fine toward and from said delivery means, whereby to regulate the velocity of the high velocity portion of the air current while retaining relatively lower velocities of air current immediately adjacent the delivery means above and below the point of discharge of the ma terial.

7. An apparatus of the character described comprising a substantially air tight housing having a vertically extending flue, means for creating an upward air current in said flue, valve means for admitting regulable amounts of air into said housing, means greatly restricting the transverse area of said flue to provide a zone of increased air velocity having a series of eddy currents intermediate zones of relatively lower air velocities, and means for delivering material to be separated into said zone of increased air velocity at a point adjacent to said eddy currents.

8. An apparatus of the character described comprising a substantially air tight housing having a vertically extending flue, one wall of said flue having an adjustable portion hinged adjacent to one of its ends, means for adjusting said portion to a predetermined angle of inclination to the vertical, means for creating an upward air current in said flue, valve means for admitting regulable amounts of air into said housing, and means for greatly restricting the transverse area of said flue to provide a zone of increased air velocity intermediate zones of relatively lower air velocities and for delivering material to be separated to said flue adjacent to said zone of increased air velocity.

9. An apparatus of the character described comprising a substantially air tight housing having a vertically extending flue, means for creating an upward air current in said flue, valve means for regulating the amount of air admitted into said housing, conveyor means for delivering material to be separated to said flue, said conveyor means extending into said line and greatly restricting its transverse area to provide a zone of increased air velocity adjacent to the delivery point of said conveyor, and zones of relatively lower air velocities above and below said conveyor, and air seal means associated with said conveyor means for preventing leakage of air about said conveyor.

10. An apparatus of the character described comprising a substantially air tight housing having a vertically extending flue, said flue having an adjustable wall whereby the transverse area of said flue may be varied, means for creating an upward air current in said flue, valve means for admitting regulable amounts of air into said housing, conveyor means for delivering substantially uniform quantities of material to be separated into said flue, said conveyor means extending into said flue and greatly restricting its transverse area to provide a Zone of increased air velocity having a series of eddy currents adjacent to the delivery point of said conveyor, and zones of relatively lower air velocities above and below said other point, and air seal means associated with said conveyor means for preventing leakage of air about said conveyor.

Signed by me at Boston, Massachusetts, this 4th day of January, 1929.

ROBERT W. MoLEAN. 

